One of the most popular events in Lenoir County will be making its way to the Kinston Fairgrounds this week.
The Lenoir County Agricultural Fair starts on Tuesday and runs until Sunday, with many events and performances planned. Even better, clear skies and comfortable temperatures are projected throughout the week.
“The weather is calling for a perfect week, so we want the people of Lenoir County to support their local fair,” Lenoir County Fair Association President Waylon Adams said. “Last year, we had about 17,000 people attend. This year, we’re hoping to have 20,000.”
The gates will open at 5 p.m. from Tuesday through Friday, noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under and free for children 2 and under.
There will be discounts for school-aged children and senior citizens on Wednesday and Thursday. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on those days, children between the ages of 6 to 18 will be admitted for $1 less and everyone 62 years and older will get in free.
The fair will kick off with the 27th annual cheerleading competition, which will be held Tuesday at 6 p.m.
As of Friday, six teams from middle and high schools have confirmed with cheerleading competition coordinator Tonya Adams they will compete.
“It’s a tradition to have the cheerleading competition on the first night,” she said. “It always brings out a huge crowd. The girls start practicing in the summer time. They do a lot of tumbling, work on their pyramids and trying to make their stunts stay.”
After the cheerleading competition, the Donald Thompson Band will play. Thompson admits he’s excited about playing in front of a Lenoir County crowd.
“We play out of town so much, so it’s always a special occasion to play for the hometown folks,” Thompson said. “It’s a welcome chance to come out and play for Kinston.”
Unlimited ride wristbands will be available for $15 each day. With the exception of Saturday, the wristbands will be good for the entire day. On Saturday, there will be wristbands for rides between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m., but a second one must be purchased for the evening session from 4 p.m. to closing.
“We should have about 30 rides, including a big wheel and several big, high and fast moving rides,” ride coordinator Mark Pilgreen said. “As far as new rides, we’ll have a huge swimming pool with bumper boats, a zero gravity ride and an assortment of kiddie rides.”
There will also be dozens of vendors for patrons to purchase food, games and entertainment.
“Right now, we’ve got about 40 inside vendors and 10 or 11 outside vendors selling food,” Booth chairman Burle Pate said. “Some will be selling items, a couple booths will be face painting and we’ll have three church groups. It’s going to be a variety of different people out there.”
For additional information, go to lenoircountyfair.org. Also, go to the Lenoir County Fair Facebook page for a daily trivia question for a chance to win free admission tickets.
Junious Smith III can be reached at 252-559-1077 and Junious.Smith@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JuniousSmithIII.
Coming attractions at the Lenoir County Agricultural Fair:
Tuesday: 27th annual cheerleading competition; Donald Thompson Band; fireworks
Wednesday: Second Helping
Thursday: Spare Change
Friday: Southern ATVA Extreme Dirt Track Racing series
Saturday: Demolition Derby, Coastal Carolina MX Racing, Diaper Derby, Dani Raye, Fireworks
Sunday: Demolition Derby
Daily shows: Almost Amazing Rex and Dana, Nick’s Kids Show, Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean
For more information, visit lenoircountyfair.org.